Fixation device and method

ABSTRACT

An implantable orthopedic stability device is disclosed. The device can have a contracted and an expanded configuration. A method of using the device between adjacent facet surfaces for support and/or fixation of either or both of the adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/113,691, filed on Nov. 12, 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

Devices and methods for fixation of tissue are disclosed. More specifically, the devices and methods can be for inter facet fusion of vertebrae or fusion of other bones to one another.

2. Background of the Art

Spinal fusion is typically performed by a screw or rod system with an allograft, Titanium, or PEEK device placed between vertebral bodies. Facet screws have been used for many years but have not had favor due to lacking the ability to create bone growth across the facet joint. A typical facet screw is described in Sasso, Rick C., et al. “Translaminar Facet Screw Fixation”, World Spine Journal (WSJ). 2006; 1(1):34-39, <http://www.worldspine.org/Documents/WSJ/1-1/Sasso_TLFS.pdf> which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A safe and effective facet fusion device alternative to a facet screw is desired. Furthermore a fusion device that can promote tissue growth across the facet joint is desired. A device that can be easily deployed into the facet joint and removed or repositioned is also desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device that can replace or supplement the screw or rod elements of a typical fusion system is disclosed. The device can be placed in the inter-facet space to fuse adjacent vertebrae and/or create a bone mass within the facet joint in a patient's spine. The device can be placed between adjacent vertebral bodies in the vetebral body articulating space, for example after a partial or complete discectomy in place of the removed disc.

The device can be less invasive than typical existing devices. For example, the device can be in a compacted (i.e., small) configuration when inserted into a patient and transformed into an expanded (i.e., large) configuration when positioned at the target site. For example, the device can be expanded when the device is between the inferior and superior facet surfaces. The device can create less soft tissue (e.g., bone) disruption than a typical fusion system. The device in an expanded configuration can improve anchoring within the joint, structural stability, and create an environment for bone healing and growth leading to fusion between adjacent vertebrae.

The device can have a first plate and a second plate. The device can be inserted and positioned into the joint so the first plate is in contact with a first articulating surface of the joint, and the second plate is in contact with a second articulating surface of the joint opposite of the first surface of the joint. For example, the opposite articulating surfaces can be opposed surfaces of vertebral plates or sides of a facet joint. Once inserted into the joint, the first plate can be rotatingly tilted away from the second plate and locked into position. The tilting and locking of the device can fuse the first articulating joint to the second articulating joint.

During deployment into tissue (e.g., bone), one, two or more holes can be drilled into the target site to create a deployment hole in which to insert the device. The deployment hole can be round or non-round (e.g., by drilling more than one overlapping or adjacent hole, or crafting a square or rectangular hole), for example to substantially match the transverse cross-section of the device in a contracted configuration.

The device can be cannulated, for example having a lateral (i.e., transverse or latitudinal) and/or lengthwise (i.e., longitudinal) channel through the device. The device can be deployed over a wire or leader, such as a guidewire. The device can be slid over the guidewire, with the guidewire passing through the longitudinal channel of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a side perspective view of a variation of the device in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 1 b is a variation of cross-section A-A of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 c is a side perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 a in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 1 d is a variation of cross-section B-B of FIG. 1 c.

FIG. 2 a is side view of a variation of cross-section A-A of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 b is side view of a variation of cross-section B-B of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 3 a is a variation of cross-section A′-A′ of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 b is a variation of cross-section B′-B′ of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 3 c is a variation of FIG. 1 a with the top plate absent.

FIGS. 4 through 8 illustrate various views and configurations of a variation of the device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partially unassembled variation of the device.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate variations of the top and bottom plates of the device in unassembled and assembled configurations, respectively.

FIGS. 12 through 17 illustrate various views of the device of FIGS. 4 through 8 on a variation of a deployment tool.

FIG. 18 a illustrates a variation of the device in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 18 b illustrates the device of FIG. 18 a in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 19 a illustrates a variation of the device in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 19 b illustrates the device of FIG. 19 a in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 20 illustrates a variation of the device in a longitudinally expanded configuration.

FIG. 21 illustrates the device of FIG. 20 is a longitudinally contracted and radially expanded configuration.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are transverse sectional views of a variation of a method for using the device.

FIGS. 24 through 30 illustrate a variation of a method for using the device in a section of the spine.

FIG. 31 illustrates a visualization of a variation of a method for deploying the device into the spine between adjacent vertebrae.

FIGS. 32 a and 32 b illustrate visualizations of variations of the device deployed into the spine between adjacent vertebrae.

FIGS. 33 a through 33 g illustrate visualizations of a variation of a method for preparing the target site for the device.

FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate visualizations of variations of the device inserted in contracted configurations into the anterior/posterior and lateral bone cavity target sites of the spine, respectively, to provide facet fusion.

FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate anterior/posterior, and lateral visualizations, respectively, of variations of multiple devices inserted in expanded configurations in multiple bone cavity target sites of the spine to provide facet fusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A device 1 is disclosed that can be inserted into a target site 73 with the device 1 in a compressed or contracted (i.e., small) configuration. Once positioned in the deployment site, the device 1 can be transformed into an expanded (i.e., larger, bigger) configuration. The device 1 can be inserted and expanded in orthopedic target sites 73 for fixation and/or support. For example, the device 1 can be inserted and expanded over a guidewire between adjacent vertebral facet surfaces (i.e., within a facet joint 55).

FIGS. 1 a through 3 c illustrate that the device 1 can have a top plate 3 attached to a bottom plate 5. The top plate 3 can be attached to the bottom plate 5 by one, two, three four or more pins 2. The plates can have a substantially flat external surface facing outward from the device 1. The pin longitudinal axes 13 can be substantially perpendicular to the plate surface planes of the external surfaces of the top 3 and bottom 5 plates when the device 1 is in a contracted configuration, and perpendicular to the device longitudinal axis 77.

The device 1 can have a middle plate 4 positioned between the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5. The middle plate 4 can be slidably attached to the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5. The pins 2 can be in pin slots 11 in the top 3 and/or bottom 5 and/or middle 4 plates. The pin slots 11 in the middle plate 4 can fix the pins 2 with respect to the position of the middle plate 4 in the direction of a device longitudinal axis 77. The pin slots 11 in the top 3 and bottom 5 plates can allow the pins 2 to move along a device longitudinal axis 77 with respect to the top 3 and bottom 5 plates to the extent of the pin slots 11, at which point the pin slots 11 will interference fit against the pins 2 to prevent further motion of the top 3 and bottom 5 plates. Accordingly, the top 3 and bottom 5 plates can slide with respect to each other and to the middle plate 4 in the direction of the device longitudinal axis 77 (and/or the middle plate 4 longitudinal axis).

The top plate 3 can have one or more angled and/or curved ramps 7 on the middle plate 4-side of the top plate 3. The bottom plate 5 can have one or more angled and/or curved ramped 7 on the middle plate 4-side of the bottom plate 5. The middle plate 4 can have angled and/or curved wedges 6 on the top plate 3-side and/or bottom plate 5-side of the middle plate 4. The wedges 6 can interface with the ramps 7. For example, the top 3 and bottom 5 plates can be in a contracted, compressed, or otherwise non-expanded configuration when the middle plate 4 is in a first position relative to the top 3 and bottom plates 5. The top and/or bottom 5 plates can be in an expanded, radially spread, or enlarged configuration when the middle plate 4 is in a second position (e.g., pulled away 9) relative to the top and/or bottom 5 plates.

The middle plate 4 can have no, one or two side walls 10. The side walls 10 can extend to about the height of the top plate 3 and/or bottom plate 5 when the device 1 is in a contracted or expanded configuration.

The top plate 3, bottom plate 5, side plates and combinations thereof can have ingrowth channels 12, windows, or ports. The ingrowth channels 12 can be configured to encourage bone growth into the ingrowth channel. For example, the ingrowth channels 12 can have textured surface and/or be coated and/or partially or completely filled with one or more osteogenic or osteoinductive material, for example any of those disclosed below.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate that the pins 2 can be contained by the top 3 and bottom 5 plates during expansion 41 of the device 1. The pins 2 can be radiopaque and/or anti-torque. The side walls 10 can brace or otherwise interference fit the top and/or bottom 5 plates, for example to minimize lateral movement of the top and/or bottom 5 plates relative to the middle plate 4.

When the device 1 is in an expanded configuration, the top plate surface plane 15 and the bottom plate surface plane 29 can rotate away from each other, as shown by arrow 8, to form a device expansion angle 14. The device expansion angle 14 can be from about 1° to about 45°, more narrowly from about 2° to about 20°. For example, the device expansion angle 14 can be about 5° or about 10°. The device 1 can have a ratchet, or steps or teeth on the ramp 7 and wedges 6 to allow the device expansion angle 14 to be expanded at discrete increments, such as increased at increments of about 0.25°, about 0.5°, about 1°, or about 2°.

FIGS. 4 through 8 illustrate that the top and/or bottom 5 plates can have inner panels that are adjacent to and oppose each other. The top and/or bottom 5 plates can have respective deployment stop panels and/or wing panels (25, 28). The deployment stop panels can extend at substantially perpendicular angles (e.g., from about 80° to about 100°, for example about 90°) from the inner panels. The wing panels (25, 28) can extend at angles from the ends of the deployment stop panels away from the side of the inner panels. For example, the wing panels (25, 28) can extend from the deployment stop panels at about 0° to about 60°, more narrowly from about 5° to about 45°, for example about 30°.

During use, the deployment stop panels and/or the wing panels (25, 28) can interference fit against the outside of the bone (e.g., the facet) to prevent overinsertion or misplacement of the device 1 into the target site 73. The deployment stop panels and/or wing panels (25, 28) can contact the facets and/or vertebral body side wall when implaned in the vertebral body disc space. The deployment stop panels and/or wing panels (25, 28) can abut and interference fit against the bone outside of the joint of the target site 73 to prevent the device 1 from being inserted too far into the joint space. Additional anchoring elements, such as drive screws, can be inserted through the deployment stop panel and/or wing panel (25, 28) and the adjacent tissue (e.g., into the vertebral side wall and or facet) before, during or after the device 1 is expanded to fix the device 1 to the target site 73. The device 1 can be retrieved or repositioned, for example, by grabbing and pulling on the deployment stop panel and/or wing panel (25, 28).

The top plate 3 and/or bottom plate 5 can have surface texturing, for example coring or gripping teeth on the outward-facing surface of the inner panels. The top and/or bottom 5 plates can have ramps 7 and/or slots 21 and tabs 18. The ramps 7 can be on the inward-facing surfaces of the tabs. The tabs can be partially bendable away from the plane of the inner panel. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the wedges 6 of the middle plate 4 are received by the ramps 7 of the inner panels, the wedges 6 can push the tabs outwardly to extend from the plane of the inner panels. During use, the extended tabs can interference fit against the surrounding tissue (e.g., bone).

The top plate 3 and/or bottom plate 5 can have a stop seat 20 formed into the top and/or bottom plate 5 along the outer surface of the deployment stop panels. The stop seat 20 can be recessed into the deployment stoop panels. The stop seat 20 can be configured to receive a middle stop plate on the middle plate 4. As shown in FIG. 6, when the middle plate 4 is fully inserted between the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5, the middle stop plate can lie flush in the stop seat 20.

The top and/or bottom 5 plates can have grooves formed along the inner-surface of the inner panels extending to the top plates. The grooves can form slots 21 when the top plate 3 and bottom plate 5 are adjacent to each other.

The middle plate 4 can have one or more rails 16. The rails 16 can be on opposite sides of the middle plate 4. The rails 16 can extend along the length of the middle plate 4. The rails 16 can be configured to insert and slide through the slots 21 formed in the top and/or bottom 5 plates. The leading edge of the rail 16 can be angled, for example to a point or angled but with a flat front surface (as shown).

The rails 16 can have one or more wedges 6. For example, each rail 16 can have two wedges 6 on the side of the rail 16 facing the top plate 3 and two wedges 6 on the side of the rail 16 facing the bottom plate 5. The rails 16 can be spaced longitudinally along the rail 16.

The middle plate 4 can have one or more ingrowth channels 12. For example, the ingrowth channels 12 on the middle plate 4 can be arranged in a grid of two by three ingrowth channels 12. The ingrowth channels 12 can be located between opposing rails 16.

The middle plate 4 can be inserted between the top 3 and bottom 5 plates. The middle plate 4 can be inserted along the length of the space between the top inner panel 26 and bottom inner panel 23 until the middle plate stop 19 interference fits against the stop seat 20. The top-bottom plate gap 24 can expand, for example up to about 100% or, more narrowly, up to about 50% from the contracted top-bottom plate gap 24.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the taps can be pushed outward by the wedges 6 and/or the top 3 and bottom 5 plates can have ports in place of the tabs. The wedges 6 from the middle plate 4 can extend into or out of the outer side of the ports (accordingly, the wedges 6 would be the tabs as labeled in FIG. 8).

The inner surface of the top inner panel 26 and the inner surface of the bottom inner panel 23 can form substantially equal device expansion angles 14 whether the device 1 is in an expanded (i.e., top 3 and bottom 5 plates apart) or contracted (i.e., top 3 and bottom 5 plates together) configuration.

The device 1 can have no pins or pin slots.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the rails 16 on the middle plate 4 can have one or more rail extensions 30. For example, each rail 16 can have inwardly extending rail extensions 30 along the length of the rails 16 on one or both sides of the middle plate 4 facing the inner panels. The slots 21 can have slot extensions 31. For example, each slot 21 can have a slot extension 31 corresponding to the rail extensions 30 on the middle plate 4. The slots 21 can be t-slots. The rail extensions 30 can be configured to be slidably received by the slot extensions 31.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate that the bottom plate 5 (as shown) and/or top plate 3 can have one or more tabs extending in the direction of the top plate 3. The tabs can extend from the deployment stop panels, in the plane of the deployment stop panels, pointed toward the opposing deployment stop panel. The tabs can have tab ends 34 at the termini of the tabs. The tab ends 34 can have a locking feature, such as a flared end, brads, and expanded radius, or combinations thereof.

The top plate 3 can have one or more tab slots 33, corresponding to the positions, shapes, and sizes of the tabs. The tab slots 33 can be configured to receive the tabs. The tab slots 33 can have tab windows 32. The tab windows 32 can be configured to receive the tab ends 34, for example the locking feature of the tab ends 34. The tab windows 32 can be open to the surface of the corresponding panel in which the tab end 34 is located.

When the top plate 3 and bottom plate 5 are pressed toward each other, as shown by arrows in FIG. 11, the tabs 18 can be slidably received by the tab slots 33. The tab ends 34 can releasably lock into the tab windows 32. The tab windows 32 can be visually inspected to insure the tab end 34 is present, for example, as an indicator that the bottom plate 5 is fully engaged with, and fixedly attached to, the top plate 3.

FIGS. 12 through 16 illustrate that the device 1 can be removably attached to a deployment tool 35. The deployment tool 35 can provide a proximally retracting force (a “pull” deployment) or distally extending force (a “push” deployment) against the device 1 to expand and/or lock the device 1 depending on the design of the device 1 and the deployment tool 35.

The deployment tool 35 can have a deployment tool case 36. The deployment tool 35 can have grasping fingers 37 extending from the distal end of the deployment tool case 36. The grasping fingers 37 can be extended distally away from the deployment tool case 36, radially expanding from the other grasping fingers 37 and releasing the device 1. The grasping fingers 37 can be retracted proximally toward the distal end of the deployment tool case 36, radially contracting toward the other grasping fingers 37 and compressing against and holding the device 1.

Two grasping fingers 37 can releasably attach on opposite sides of the top plate 3, for example against the surface of the top deployment stop panel 27 facing the top inner panel 26. Two grasping fingers 37 can releasably attach on opposite sides of the bottom plate 5, for example against the surface of the bottom deployment stop panel 22 facing the bottom inner panel 23. The middle plate 4 can be aligned with the slots 21.

FIG. 17 illustrates that the deployment tool 35 can have an anvil 38. The anvil 38 can hold the middle plate 4 in place, which can transmit the force to the top 3 and bottom 5 plates, holding the top 3 and bottom 5 plates in compression against the grasping fingers 37, as shown in FIGS. 12 through 16. Once the device 1 is placed into a target site 73 (e.g., within a facet joint 55), the anvil 38 can be translated, as shown by arrow, to force the middle plate 4 between the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5. The device 1 can be expanded. The tabs and/or wedges 6 can then interference fit to prevent the middle plate 4 from retreating and the middle plate 4 can be fixedly attached to the top 3 and bottom 5 plates. The grasping fingers 37 can be extended from the deployment tool case 36, radially expand away from one another, and release the device 1. The anvil 38 can be withdrawn into the deployment tool case 36.

FIGS. 18 a and 18 b illustrate that the device 1 can have cells 39 or pores. The cells 39 can be open when the device 1 is in a contracted configuration and/or open when the device 1 is in an expanded configuration so material can pass through the cells 39 to an inner longitudinal channel or lumen inside of the device 1, and/or to the opposite side of the device 1. For example, bone or other tissue growth can occur through the cells 39. The bone growth can pass through and encompass the device 1.

The device 1 can have a round or circular transverse cross-section. The device 1 can be ductile or deformable. The device 1 can be resilient.

FIG. 18 a illustrates the device 1 can be loaded on a mandrel 40 or deployment tool 35 in a contracted configuration. FIG. 18 b illustrates that a first end of the device 1 can be radially expanded by the mandrel 40 or other deployment tool 35 while the second end of the device 1 can remain contracted.

FIGS. 19 a and 19 b illustrate that the device 1 can have insubstantial pores or cells 39. For example, substantially no material can flow or otherwise pass through the cells 39 or pores of the device 1.

FIG. 20 illustrates that the top plate 3 can be rotatably attached to the bottom plate 5. The top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5 can be integral with or attached to a plate hinge 44. The top plate 3 and bottom plate 5 can be attached at a first end at the plate hinge 44. The top plate 3 and bottom plate 5 can be unattached at a second end away from the plate hinge 44.

The top plate 3 and/or bottom plate 5 can have a surface texture 17 on the outward-facing surface. For example, the surface texture 17 can be ribs 43 oriented along the longitudinal axis of the device 1.

The top plate 3 and bottom plate 5 can form a side port 46. The middle plate 4 can be slidably received by the side port 46. The middle plate 4 can have a side wall 10. The side wall 10 can obstruct, cover, and/or seal the external side of the side port 46.

The middle plate 4 can have a middle plate port 47. The plate hinge 44 can have a plate hinge port 45. The middle plate port 47 and the plate hinge port 45 can be aligned along the longitudinal axis of the device 1. A deployment tool 35 can be releasably attached to the middle plate port 47 and/or the plate hinge port 45. The deployment tool 35 can compress the middle plate port 47 toward the plate hinge port 45.

The middle plate 4 can have one or more middle plate ramps 48, for example positioned adjacent to the inner surfaces of the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 5. When the middle plate 4 is longitudinally extended away from the top 3 and bottom 5 plates, as shown in FIG. 20, the plane of the top plate 3 can be can be substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom plate 5.

FIG. 21 illustrates that the middle plate 4 can be translated toward the plate hinge 44. For example, a deployment tool 35 can exert a compression force on the plate hinge 44 and the middle plate 4, translating the middle plate 4 toward the middle plate ramp 48, as shown by arrow 50. The top plate ramps can rotate, as shown by arrows 49, the top plate 3 away from the bottom plate 5.

The device 1 can have one or more radiopaque and/or echogenic markers 51. For example, the device 1 can have aligned markers 51 on the top plate 3, middle plate 4 and bottom plate 5. When the device 1 is in a contracted pre-deployment configuration, the markers 51 can be located immediately adjacent to one another, for example appearing as a single marker 51. When the device 1 is in an expanded configuration, the markers 51 can move apart from each other, indicating to a doctor performing the implantation and deployment procedure using visualization (e.g., x-ray or ultrasound-based) that the device 1 has expanded. Under visualization the markers 51 can also indicate the location and orientation of the device 1.

Method of Using

The cartilage can be partially, substantially or completely removed from the inter facet joint. A three-dimensional cavity shape can be formed into the facet surfaces, for example to improve stability and fusion of the device 1 when the device 1 is implanted. A bone removal tool can be used on the facet surfaces prior to the insertion of the implant to remove and shape bone and/or other tissue. The bone removal tool can be cannulated and have guides to assure proper depth and orientation within the facet joint 55 space. The bone removal tool (which can also remove cartilage and other tissue) can be round or non-round. The bone removal tool can be shaped to match the shape profile of the unexpanded implant.

FIG. 22 illustrates that the device 1 can be inserted along the implant pathway 54 into the target site 73, such as between the superior articular process 53 and inferior articular process 56 of a facet joint 55. The device 1 can be inserted into the facet joint 55 without protruding into the vertebral foramen 57. (The spinous process 52 is shown as a landmark for illustrative purposes.) The device 1 can be partially or completely radially expanded before or after inserting the device 1 into the target site 73. An expanded bone cavity 68 can optionally be drilled into the facet joint 55 before insertion of the device 1 in which the device 1 can be inserted.

FIG. 23 illustrates that the device 1 can then be expanded, as shown by arrows, and held in place by an interference or friction fit within the bone cavity 68 in the facet joint 55. Regular spinal loads, such as compression of the facet joint 55, can provide additional anchoring and settling (i.e., stop migration) of the device 1. The device 1 can expand into a reverse taper, as shown in FIG. 22. For example, the end of the device 1 closer to the vertebral foramen 57 can eapnd to a larger radius than the end of the device 1 further from the vertebral foramen 57.

The devices 1 can be made from PEEK, any medical grade polymer or metal, or any other material disclosed herein. The device 1 can be coated, for example with bone morphogenic protein (BMP), ceramic, and/or any other material disclosed herein.

FIGS. 24 through 30 illustrate a variation of the location of the device 1 and the fusion location when this device 1 is deployed in use. The device 1 can be deployed less (e.g., minimally) invasively, over the wire 66, percutaneously, used with a vertebral body replacement or fusion cage, or combinations thereof. The device 1 can be expandable and un-expandable for removal or repositioning.

FIG. 24 illustrates that a first vertebra 84 can have a first facet surface 86. A second vertebra 85 can be adjacent to the first vertebra 84. The second vertebra 85 can have a second facet surface 87 adjacent to the first facet surface 86. An implant pathway 54 for the device 1 can be substantially parallel with the first 86 and second 87 facet surfaces. The device 1 can be pushed into the space between the first 86 and second 87 facet surfaces.

FIG. 25 illustrates that the implant angle can minimize the needle or punch from damaging the spinal cord. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral arch (lamina) just below the inferior articular process 56 of the facet joint 55. The spine 62 can have a spinal longitudinal axis 61. The implant pathway 54 in the sagittal plane measured from the coronal 63 side of the longitudinal axis can have a sagittal implant pathway angle 60. The sagittal implant pathway 54 angle can be from about 40° to about 110°, for example about 60°.

FIG. 26 illustrates that during spinal flexion or extension, as shown by arrows 64, the articular facet surfaces can experience shear forces 65 relative to each other. The device 1 can be oriented perpendicular to the shear motion, for example with the plane of the surface of the inner panels aligned with the shear forces 65.

FIGS. 27 (and 33 b, 33 c and 33 d) illustrates that a wire 66 can be inserted between the articular processes. The wire 66 can be a guidewire, lead, catheter, or combinations thereof. The wire 66 can be placed along the implant pathway 54. Deployment tools 35 and/or the device 1 can be inserted along the wire 66. The wire 66 can be removed after positioning, expansion 41, or at any other time during deployment of the device 1 or deployment tools 35. The vertebral arch (lamina) can be stop the wire 66 (and device 1) insertion, for example, protecting the spinal cord and nerves.

FIGS. 28 (and 33 e, 33 f and 33 g) illustrate that a bone cavity 68 can be created. The bone shaping and removal can be performed with a drill 67 or other bone removal tool. The drill 67 can slide over and follow the wire 66 to the outer surface of the facet articular surface. The drill 67 can have a guide to orient the drill 67 with a cutting plane. The cutting plane can be the space between the inferior and superior articular process 53 of the articular surfaces and sharp edges, for example the plain of the articular processes 69, as shown in FIG. 28. The drill 67 can cut, shape and remove tissue, such as bone and/or cartilage. The creation of the bone cavity 68 can create a bloody bone surface to aid in regrowth and fusing of the bones on which the cavity was created.

FIGS. 29 (and 31) illustrates that the device 1 can be removably attached to a delivery system or deployment tool 35. The deployment tool 35 can insert the device 1 into the target site 73. For example the deployment tool 35 can be pushed over the wire 66 as shown by arrow.

The device 1 can be positioned such that the first plate is against the first facet surface 86 and the second plate is against the second facet surface 87. For example, the inner panels can be against the facet surfaces. Teeth or texturing on the panels and/or plates can be pressed against the facet surfaces and frictionally resist withdrawal from the deployed position. The stop panels and/or wing panels (25, 28) can abut bone and/or other tissue and stop insertion of the device 1 into the target site 73.

The opposed facet surfaces can compress against the device 1, for example, releasably fixing the device 1 in the facet joint 55.

When the device 1 is positioned as desired (e.g., into the drilled bone cavity 68 and/or between unaltered surfaces forming the facet joint 55) and expanded and/or locked, the deployment tool 35 can then release the device 1. The device 1 can lock itself into place with outward expansion, wedging, or interference force when receiving a release force from the deployment tool 35 or otherwise.

FIG. 30 illustrates that the device 1 can be expanded between the first and second articular process facet surfaces. The device 1 can resist the shear forces shown in FIG. 26. The adjacent articular facet surfaces can regrow through and around the device 1 and fuse to each other (for example, with the cartilage removed).

FIG. 31 illustrates the deployment tool 35 inserted to a target site 73 in vivo between a first vertebra 84 and a second vertebra 85. For example, the device 1 can be placed at the target site 73 after a partial or complete discectomy. When the device 1 is in a contracted configuration, the tool can position the device 1 between a first vertebral body 92 of the first vertebra 84 and a second vertebral body 93 of the second vertebra 85. The device 1 can be inserted into the target site 73 a direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the vertebral body end plates. The device 1 can be placed between a first vertebral end plate 90 of the first vertebral body 92 and the adjacent second vertebral end plate 91 of the second vertebral body 93. In this inter-vertebral location, the top plate 3 of the device 1 can be in contact with or directly adjacent to the first vertebral end plate 90. The bottom plate 5 of the device 1 can be in contact with or directly adjacent to the second vertebral end plate 91.

FIGS. 32 a and 32 b illustrate that the deployment tool 35 can radially expand the device 1 between the first vertebral end plate 90 and the second vertebral end plate 91. The top plate 3 can press against and/or embed into the first vertebral end plate 90. The bottom plate 5 can press against and/or embed into the second vertebral end plate 91. The device 1 can fuse the first vertebra 84 to the second vertebra 85.

The device 1 can be filled with a filled before or after radial expansion. Tissue ingrowth can occur into the top plate 3 through the top ports 42, bottom plate 5 through the bottom ports, and elsewhere through the device 1.

FIGS. 33 a through 33 g illustrate visualizations of a variation of a method for preparing the target site 73 for the device 1. FIG. 33 a illustrate a visualization of the spine 62 with the target site 73 identified, such as a facet joint 55. FIGS. 33 b and 33 c illustrates that a leader or wire 66, such as a guidewire, can be inserted or otherwise deployed into the target site 73, for example, the wire 66 can be percutaneously inserted in a minimally invasive procedure. The wire 66 can be inserted into the facet articular space, for example between the first facet surface 86 and the adjacent second facet surface 87. The wire 66 can be anteriorly and/or posteriorly inserted, as shown in FIG. 33 b. The 33 c illustrates that the wire 74 can be laterally inserted.

FIG. 33 d illustrates that a first wire 88 can be inserted into the first facet joint 82. A second wire 89 can be inserted into the second facet joint 83. The first wire 88 can be inserted in an anteriorly/posteriorly direction, or a lateral direction. The second wire 89 can be inserted in an anteriorly/posteriorly direction, or a lateral direction.

FIGS. 33 e and 33 f illustrate that the drill 67 can be inserted, as shown by arrow, over the wire to the target site 73, such as the pedicles 75. The drill 67 can then be used to drill away a portion of the bone 76, for example, creating a bone cavity 68 as shown in FIG. 33 g for insertion of the device 1.

FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate visualizations of variations of the device 1 inserted in contracted configurations into the anterior/posterior and lateral bone cavity 68 target sites 73 of the spine 62, respectively, to provide facet fusion. The devices 1 can have radiopaque and/or echogenic visualization markers 51, for example the markers 51 can be along the top plate 3, bottom plate 5, and one or more panels of the plates. The first and/or second deployment tools 80 and 81 can also have one or more markers 51. The devices 1 can be inserted into multiple facet bone cavity 68 target sites 73 of the spine 62 to provide facet fusion. A first device 78 can be inserted into a first facet joint 82 and a second device 79 can be inserted into a second facet joint 83. The first 78 and second 79 devices can be inserted bilaterally, for example both devices can be inserted between the same first vertebra 84 and second vertebra 85 on opposite lateral sides. FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate visualizations of variations of the devices 1 in expanded configurations in multiple facet bone cavity 68 target sites 73 of the spine 62 to provide facet fusion. The first device 78 and second device 79 can be expanded in the first facet joint 82 and the second device 79 can be inserted in the second facet joint 83.

Because FIGS. 35 and 37 are lateral views, the facet joints are substantially viewed at the same location and are not substantially distinguishable in the view.

Any or all elements of the device 1 and/or other devices or apparatuses described herein can be made from, for example, a single or multiple stainless steel alloys, nickel titanium alloys (e.g., Nitinol), cobalt-chrome alloys (e.g., ELGILOY® from Elgin Specialty Metals, Elgin, Ill.; CONICHROME® from Carpenter Metals Corp., Wyomissing, Pa.), nickel-cobalt alloys (e.g., MP35N® from Magellan Industrial Trading Company, Inc., Westport, Conn.), molybdenum alloys (e.g., molybdenum TZM alloy, for example as disclosed in International Pub. No. WO 03/082363 A2, published 9 Oct. 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), tungsten-rhenium alloys, for example, as disclosed in International Pub. No. WO 03/082363, polymers such as polyethylene teraphathalate (PET), polyester (e.g., DACRON® from E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.), poly ester amide (PEA), polypropylene, aromatic polyesters, such as liquid crystal polymers (e.g., Vectran, from Kuraray Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (i.e., extended chain, high-modulus or high-performance polyethylene) fiber and/or yarn (e.g., SPECTRA® Fiber and SPECTRA® Guard, from Honeywell International, Inc., Morris Township, N.J., or DYNEEMA® from Royal DSM N.V., Heerlen, the Netherlands), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded PTFE (ePTFE), polyether ketone (PEK), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), poly ether ketone ketone (PEKK) (also poly aryl ether ketone ketone), nylon, polyether-block co-polyamide polymers (e.g., PEBAX® from ATOFINA, Paris, France), aliphatic polyether polyurethanes (e.g., TECOFLEX® from Thermedics Polymer Products, Wilmington, Mass.), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, thermoplastic, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), absorbable or resorbable polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-L-glycolic acid (PLGA), polylactic acid (PLA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethyl acrylate (PEA), polydioxanone (PDS), and pseudo-polyamino tyrosine-based acids, extruded collagen, silicone, zinc, echogenic, radioactive, radiopaque materials, a biomaterial (e.g., cadaver tissue, collagen, allograft, autograft, xenograft, bone cement, morselized bone, osteogenic powder, beads of bone) any of the other materials listed herein or combinations thereof. Examples of radiopaque materials are barium sulfate, zinc oxide, titanium, stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys, tantalum and gold.

The device 1 can be made from substantially 100% PEEK, substantially 100% titanium or titanium alloy, or combinations thereof.

Any or all elements of the device 1 and/or other devices or apparatuses described herein, can be, have, and/or be completely or partially coated with agents for cell ingrowth.

The device 1 and/or elements of the device 1 and/or other devices or apparatuses described herein can be filled, coated, layered and/or otherwise made with and/or from cements, fillers 70, and/or glues known to one having ordinary skill in the art and/or a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. Any of these cements and/or fillers 70 and/or glues can be osteogenic and osteoinductive growth factors.

Examples of such cements and/or fillers 70 includes bone chips, demineralized bone matrix (DBM), calcium sulfate, coralline hydroxyapatite, biocoral, tricalcium phosphate, calcium phosphate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), biodegradable ceramics, bioactive glasses, hyaluronic acid, lactoferrin, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs), other materials described herein, or combinations thereof.

The agents within these matrices can include any agent disclosed herein or combinations thereof, including radioactive materials; radiopaque materials; cytogenic agents; cytotoxic agents; cytostatic agents; thrombogenic agents, for example polyurethane, cellulose acetate polymer mixed with bismuth trioxide, and ethylene vinyl alcohol; lubricious, hydrophilic materials; phosphor cholene; anti-inflammatory agents, for example non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitors (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid, for example ASPIRIN® from Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany; ibuprofen, for example ADVIL® from Wyeth, Collegeville, Pa.; indomethacin; mefenamic acid), COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., VIOXX® from Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.; CELEBREX® from Pharmacia Corp., Peapack, N.J.; COX-1 inhibitors); immunosuppressive agents, for example Sirolimus (RAPAMUNE®, from Wyeth, Collegeville, Pa.), or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors (e.g., tetracycline and tetracycline derivatives) that act early within the pathways of an inflammatory response. Examples of other agents are provided in Walton et al, Inhibition of Prostoglandin E₂ Synthesis in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Circulation, Jul. 6, 1999, 48-54; Tambiah et al, Provocation of Experimental Aortic Inflammation Mediators and Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Brit. J. Surgery 88 (7), 935-940; Franklin et al, Uptake of Tetracycline by Aortic Aneurysm Wall and Its Effect on Inflammation and Proteolysis, Brit. J. Surgery 86 (6), 771-775; Xu et al, Sp1 Increases Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Hypoxic Vascular Endothelium, J. Biological Chemistry 275 (32) 24583-24589; and Pyo et al, Targeted Gene Disruption of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (Gelatinase B) Suppresses Development of Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, J. Clinical Investigation 105 (11), 1641-1649 which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Any elements described herein as singular can be pluralized (i.e., anything described as “one” can be more than one). Any species element of a genus element can have the characteristics or elements of any other species element of that genus. The above-described configurations, elements or complete assemblies and methods and their elements for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention can be combined and modified with each other in any combination. 

1. A method of using an orthopedic support device comprising: positioning an implantable device between a first facet surface of a first vertebra and a second facet surface of a second vertebra, wherein the first vertebra is adjacent to the second vertebra, and wherein the first facet surface is adjacent to the second facet surface; and expanding the implantable device between the first facet surface and the second facet surface.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing some of the first facet surface.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising removing some of the second facet surface.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning further comprises inserting a flexible leader between the first facet surface and the second facet surface, and delivering the implantable device on the leader.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising removing the leader from between the first facet surface and the second facet surface.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein expanding comprises longitudinally compressing the implantable device.
 7. A method of using an orthopedic support device comprising: positioning an implantable device between a first facet surface of a first vertebra and a second facet surface of a second vertebra, wherein the first vertebra is adjacent to the second vertebra, and wherein the first facet surface is adjacent to the second facet surface, and wherein the implantable device has a first plate in contact with the first facet surface and a second plate in contact with the second facet surface; and fixing the first plate to the position of the second plate.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein fixing comprises inserting a third plate between the first plate and the second plate.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein fixing comprises compressing the first plate and the second plate between the first facet surface and the second facet surface.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the
 11. An implantable orthopedic device having a longitudinal axis comprising: a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein the first plate has a first panel and a second panel, and wherein the first panel is extending from a second panel at about a perpendicular angle to the first panel; and wherein the second plate has a first panel and a second panel, and wherein the first panel is extending from a second panel at about a perpendicular angle to the first panel; and wherein the third plate is located between the first panel of the first plate and the first panel of the second plate.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the third plate comprises a first unidirectional engaging feature, and wherein the first unidirectional engaging feature is received by a receiving feature on the first panel of the first plate.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the third plate comprises a second unidirectional engaging feature, and wherein the second unidirectional engaging feature is received by a receiving feature on the first panel of the second plate. 